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Options: Interstate Resource Center for Independent Living Special Edition COVID Newsletter
In This Issue... Vaccine / Symptoms / Mental Health …. Page 2 What to Do If You Are Sick ….. Page 3 COVID Testing Sites in Northwestern Minnesota … Page 4 Underlying Conditions, PPE, Hiring Others … Page 5 Healthcare and the Americans with Disabilities Act … Page 6 COVID-19 and Personal Attendant Services …. Page 7 Mission Statement, Contact Info, Board …. Page 8
COVID Pandemic Collaboration
Options in collaboration with the Minnesota Department of swab various locations within your nasal passages, saliva Health is working together to better inform people with tests or around the corner, home-testing kits. Some types disabilities on important matters related to the present of tests are provided inside your clinics or hospitals, while pandemic. Due to this relationship you may see some others are drive-up or drive-thru. Testing locations may advertising running across the airwaves referring to also be provided through large community testing sites Options as your regional COVID Community Coordinator. within a community center facility such as a National Guard building. These may change and rotate with Just as we have been there to assist you prior to the information provided through the Minnesota Department pandemic we are here now to help you find the resources of Health or Public Service Announcement. to fulfill your needs surrounding the pandemic. This does not mean we are authorities but it does mean we, in Most of the medical service providers found within our collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Health, region have set up a process for their patients to be can certainly help you get the information you need tested so it is important for you to call and ask the through our combined networks and resources as you representative what their processes are related to your navigate through the pandemic. individual circumstance. When you call to discuss your situation, please include information about your disability Throughout this newsletter you will find timely information so they can evaluate the proper testing method compared about a verity of topics our editors have felt are important to accommodations you may need to recommend the for your safety. best test. Ask questions related to the accommodations you need and how they will accommodate you. If you The types of tests for COVID, testing locations, and need help brainstorming types of accommodations you procedures taken for testing is changing as new and need based on your disability or don’t know where to better procedures are identified. You can have tests that start, please call Options. 3 months of their first bout of COVID- According to the Centers for Disease Stay Home if You 19 may need to be tested again if Control and Prevention some Might Have Been there is no other cause identified for vaccines which were subsidized their symptoms. during their development should be Exposed to offered to the public without a What counts as close contact? charge. As things transpire though COVID-19 some medications may not fit this You were within 6 feet of someone From the National Center for scenario so you should always be an who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 Immunization and Respiratory Diseases informed user of your medical minutes or more. (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases services and ask your provider if
there will be a cost. If there will be a You provided care at home to Quarantine or isolation: What's someone who is sick with charge you should insure your the difference? COVID-19 medical insurer will take care of it.
You had direct physical contact Quarantine keeps someone who with the person (hugged or kissed The first vaccine approved at the might have been exposed to the them) time of this printing needs to be kept virus away from others. very cold and not all medical facilities You shared eating or drinking have the freezers in order to Isolation keeps someone who is utensils. They sneezed, coughed, maintain the low temperature infected with the virus away from or somehow got respiratory droplets on you. needed. Because of this many others, even in their home. people in rural areas may have to
wait for some of the other Who needs to quarantine? Vaccines medications to be approved before People who have been in close they can be inoculated especially if contact with someone who has As the vaccination roll-out is you are unable to leave your COVID-19—excluding people who currently underway in Minnesota, it is home. Because processes will be have had COVID-19 within the past important for you to pay attention on developed and modified as things 3 months. where you fit in. If you do not have change you will need to be vigilant frequent contact with your medical paying particular attention to the People who have tested positive for provider and have an underlying Minnesota Department of Health COVID-19 do not need to quarantine condition or a disability which is Public Service announcements and or get tested again for up to 3 negatively impacted by COVID-19 Governor’s updates. If you have months as long as they do not pay particular attention to directives questions you can call here or call develop symptoms again. People so you can insure if you are on a your County’s Health Department who develop symptoms again within priority listing you know about it. Representative.
This includes telemedicine resources (which replace clinic Mental Health Resources visits) and other well-being supports to help families and During the COVID Pandemic individuals cope.
COVID Cares Stress Phone Support Service. Any The COVID-19 pandemic is causing a tremendous amount Minnesotan experiencing stress can call 833-HERE4MN of stress, fear and anxiety for many people. It’s important (833-437-3466) for free telephone support from 9am to Minnesotans have access to the mental health care 9pm every day. resources they need to stay well during this challenging time. For more mental health resources, visit https://mn.gov/ covid19/for-minnesotans/get-help/mental-health.jsp or call State agencies are working together to ensure these the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of services are available, and they are also connecting Minnesota at 1-888-626-4435. people with private organizations that can provide support. 2 Mask Safety
What to Do If You If a lab test shows you do not have Caring for Someone Who Is Sick COVID-19 but you have symptoms, Are Sick stay home until your symptoms are If someone in your household better and you do not have a fever. gets sick, do your best to keep From the Minnesota them away from others in the Symptoms of COVID-19 can be house. Have one person take Department of Health Website similar to other illnesses. It is care of the person who is sick. important to follow your health care Stay 6 feet away from the person Stay home if you are sick. provider’s advice before going back who is sick as much as you can. to work, school, or other settings. If you are older or have certain The person who is sick should underlying medical conditions, it is People with symptoms or people wear a cloth face covering when helpful to let your health care who were in close contact with anyone else is in the room, except provider know you are sick. They someone who has COVID-19 when sleeping. The caregiver, and may have specific advice for you. should consult their health everyone else in the house, may provider to learn what steps to want to wear cloth face coverings Seek medical care right away if take next, whether it’s testing, when they are in the same room your symptoms get worse or you quarantine or isolation. with the person who is sick. Cloth have difficulty breathing. Before face coverings should not be going to the doctor's office or Going to the Doctor placed on young children under emergency room, call ahead and age 2, anyone who has trouble tell them your symptoms. They will Call ahead before going in to see breathing, or is not able to remove tell you what to do. a health care provider. the covering without help.
How long to Stay Home if Sick If you are older or have underlying The person who is sick should not medical conditions, it may be make food or eat with others in If you have COVID-19, stay home helpful to let your health care the house. until all three of these things are true: provider know you are sick. They may have some specific advice If a sleeping room must be You feel better. Your cough, for you. shared, open doors or windows shortness of breath, or other sometimes to get fresh air inside. symptoms are better. Some people with COVID-19 Sleep at least 6 feet apart, hang and have worsened during the second curtains or put cardboard walls It has been 10 days since you first week of illness. around the person who is sick, felt sick and sleep head to toe. and Seek medical care right away if You have had no fever for at least your illness is worsening (for If a bathroom must be shared, 24 hours, without using medicine example, if you have difficulty clean doorknobs, faucets, and that lowers fevers. breathing). Call ahead and tell other surfaces people touch a lot. them your symptoms. Clean each time the person who Talk to your health care provider if is sick uses the bathroom. you have questions. Low oxygen levels can be an early warning sign that people Always wash your hands when If a lab test shows you have COVID- need medical care. For more touching surfaces and items in 19, someone from the health information, see Oxygen Levels, rooms the sick person also uses. department will give you more Pulse Oximeters, and COVID-19. Do not to touch your face with information and answer your unwashed hands. 3 questions. I Minnesota COVID Testing Sites in Service Area Testing site locations may change. Call ahead to schedule testing. If you need assistance, call Options.
WHITE EARTH RESRVATION 400 S Minnesota St Testing Sites and Times vary. Please call Crookston, MN 56716 Karlstad 833-989-2873 or 218-983-4684 Option 3 701-780-6358 or 218-281-9100 Kittson Memorial Healthcare Center RED LAKE NATION 205 Roosevelt Ave W RiverView Health Clinic Red Lake Hospital Karlstad, MN 56732 323 S Minnesota St 24760 Hospital Rd 218-436-2251 Crookston, MN 56716 218-470-7983 Red Lake, MN 56671 LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY 218-679-3912 East Grand Forks Baudette BELTRAMI COUNTY Sanford Health Clinic CHI LakeWood Health 621 Demers Avenue Bemidji 600 Main Ave S East Grand Forks, MN 56721 Sanford Health Clinic Baudette, MN 56623 218-773-6800 1611 Anne Street Clinic 218-634-2120 Bemidji, MN 56601 Altru Clinic 218-333-5000 MAHNOMEN COUNTY 607 DeMers Avenue East Grand Forks, MN 56721 Blackduck Mahnomen 701-780-6358 Sanford Health Clinic Sanford Health Clinic 81 1st Street NW 410 4th Street NW Erksine Mahnomen, MN 56557 Blackduck, MN 56630 Altru Clinic 218-935-2514 218-835-4222 23076 347th St SE CLEARWATER COUNTY MARSHALL COUNTY Erskine, MN 56535 701-780-6358 Bagley Warren Sanford Bagley Medical Center North Valley Health Center Fosston 203 4th Street NW 300 West Good Samaritan Dr Essentia Health Bagley, MN 56621 Warren, MN 56762 900 Hilligoss Blvd SE 218-694-6501 218-745-4211 Fosston, MN 56542 HUBBARD COUNTY NORMAN COUNTY 833-494-0836 RED LAKE COUNTY Park Rapids Ada Essentia Health Essentia Health Red Lake Falls 1103 1st St E 201 9th St W Altru Clinic Park Rapids, MN 56470 Ada, MN 56510 312 International Drive 833-494-0836 218-784-5000 Red Lake Falls, MN 56750 Sanford Health PENNINGTON COUNTY 701-780-6358 110 7th Street West Thief River Falls ROSEAU COUNTY Park Rapids, MN 56470 Sanford Health Roseau 218-699-3121 Thief River Falls, MN 56701 LifeCare Medical Center KITTSON COUNTY 218-681-4747 715 Delmore Drive Roseau, MN 56751 Hallock Altru Clinic 218-463-2500 Kittson Memorial Healthcare Center 1845 Hwy 59 S 1010 S Birch Ave Thief River Falls, MN 56701 Warroad Hallock, MN 56728 701-780-6358 Altru Clinic
218-843-2165 POLK COUNTY 412 Main Avenue NE Warroad , MN 56763 Crookston 701-780-6358 or 218-386-2020 Altru Health System
4 Hiring Services/Repair Work In Your Home
What you need to know:
Ask the service provider to wear a mask. You and other household members should wear masks. Stay at least 6 feet from the service provider, and limit interactions between the service provider and other household members and pets. After the service is completed, clean and disinfect any surfaces in your home that may have been touched by the service provider.
Taken from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily -life-coping/at-home/in-home-services.html
What’s An Underlying Condition
Older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Below are just some of the high-risk conditions that are important to manage to help prevent severe illness from COVID-19:
Asthma and lung disease Diabetes Heart disease Various conditions that lead to a weakened immune system, including cancer treatment Chronic kidney disease
Taken from the Minnesota Department of Health https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/conditions/ index.html
COVID-19 spreads very easily If You Need PPE and from person to person Cleaning Supplies,
How easily a virus spreads from person to person Contact Us can vary. The virus that causes COVID-19 appears to spread more efficiently than influenza but not as Do you have a disability and are looking for gloves, efficiently as measles, which is among the most masks and cleaning supplies? If so, contact contagious viruses known to affect people. Options and we may be able to get you some. You can reach us at : Taken from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention V/TTY 218-773-6100 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent- Toll-Free 800-726-3692 getting-sick/how-covid-spreads.html Text-Line 701-864-0296 Fax 218-773-7119 Email [email protected] 5 Slow the Spread
Health Care and the Americans with Disabilities Act
You have the right to request a reasonable Reasonable Modifications of Policies, Practices, accommodation from your medical provider. and Procedure
Health care providers are required to make reasonable As adapted from a technical assistance paper from the modifications (or changes) to policies, practices, and ADA National Network, 2020 procedures to provide equal access to facilities and services to people with disabilities. The term The ADA requires that health care entities provide full “reasonable modification” is a broad concept that covers and equal access for people with disabilities. every type of disability.
This can be done through: Effective Communication
Reasonable Modifications of Policies, Practices, Health care providers must ensure that communication and Procedures. Adjusting policies, practices, and with patients with hearing, vision, and speech disabilities procedures, if needed, to provide goods, services, are as effective as communication with other patients. facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations. The aid or service provided depends on the method of Effective Communication. Making communication, communication used by the patient, how long and how in all forms, easily understood. complex it will be, and the setting where the Accessible Facilities. Ensuring physical communication will take place. accessibility. Accessible Facilities Covered health care facilities include, but are not limited to: hospitals, doctors’ offices, pharmacies, dentists’ Health care facilities must ensure that their facilities are offices, acupuncturists’ offices, etc. accessible to people with disabilities. When possible, medical equipment should also be accessible. A person with a disability can be a person with a mobility Examples: accessible examination tables, accessible or physical disability, sensory (vision or hearing), imaging machines, accessible scales, and patient lifts. intellectual, psychiatric, or other mental disability. People Health care providers must have an accessible facility with medical conditions such as HIV/AIDS, epilepsy, that meets the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer may also covered under Design and have accessible exam/ treatment/procedure the ADA. rooms available.
6 order by phone or online and have it a member of their household Coronavirus delivered to your home or have becomes sick. You both should be (COVID-19) picked up. If financially unable seek extra vigilant about cleanliness. out assistance from local Recommendations organizations or food banks to build 11. If your attendant becomes sick, up stock. urge them to seek medical care and for People with utilize your backup attendants. 4. Stock up on other important Disabilities using supplies. Bowel and bladder care 12. Take immediate steps to avoid Personal Attendant items in addition to cleaning, infecting your attendants if you, one toiletries, and other supplies. These of your attendants, or a member of Services are similar supplies which are your household begins to feel sick. recommended to possess in a Protecting their health supports your
natural disaster scenario. own independence. Ensure Used with permission from the everyone washes their hands and Center for Disability Rights, Inc, a 5. Identify a way to make sure you uses hand sanitizer regularly. As a Center for Independent Living based can get your medications in a timely person with a disability, it may be in New York State, some parts were manner. This may mean having difficult for you to cover a cough or edited due to our space constraints friends or family assist you or using a sneeze, so we encourage you to and differences in attendant care pharmacy delivery service. wear a surgical mask if you are programming. sneezing or coughing. It is important
6. Plan for your pets. There may be to use a surgical mask correctly. The 1. Ensure you have sufficient back difficulties in getting pet food or your following link explains how to up attendants in case your regular pets may need someone to take care properly use one. https:// attendants cannot work due to the of them if you are hospitalized. www.sfcdcp.org/communicable- illness affecting someone in their disease/healthy-habits/ how-to-put- family or themselves. If you use a 7. Have your attendants wash their on-and-remove-a-face-mask/ provider call and ask what their hands and use hand sanitizer when backup plans are in the event of a they arrive at your home and each 13. If someone in your household widespread outbreak. If it seems time prior to touching or feeding you. becomes sick, take steps to avoid inadequate think about people you infecting other people. If possible, may call to help you and how you 8. Regularly clean, sanitize and have them stay in a separate room can start preparing now. disinfect surfaces that are touched in of your home to get well. Regularly
your home to prevent the spread of clean, sanitize and disinfect shared 2. Ensure that you have the ability to infection. Have your attendant do spaces, particularly the bathroom to get assistance if an attendant does this each time they arrive. avoid spreading the infection. not show up for work. They may not be able to get to you and you may 9. Use disinfecting wipes on items 14. If you become sick, seek medical need to make sure your needs are that are frequently care immediately. As people with met. Start a checklist of possible touched. These include your disabilities we are at greater risk resources from other providers which telephone, doorknobs, your from illnesses like these. may be able to serve you, as well as refrigerator handle, your wheelchair family and friends who may be able controls, lifting device controls and 15. If you cannot be supported at to help for free in an emergency. remote controls. Place wipes near home, contact your doctor and notify Brainstorm with your provider to see the items that should be regularly Options so we can make sure you if emergency fill in staff you identify cleaned as a que for you and your are able to get back home when your could be paid by your provider. attendants. situation is resolved. Many of us
know people with disabilities who 3. Have at least a week of non- 10. Have your attendant take extra have been institutionalized when perishable food in your home at any steps to avoid possibly infecting you they sought medical care, so some given time. If you need help, check by wearing a surgical mask if people are reluctant to seek medical with local grocers to see if you can someone close to your attendant like support.
7 Mission Statement Text us Your Questions on our Text-Line at Options is a non-profit organization 701-864-0296 committed to assisting individuals with disabilities to live independently in the If you would like this newsletter in alternative formats, such as audio, braille or digital, communities of their choice and to eliminate please contact Mike or email barriers of attitude, architecture and [email protected]. communication from the environment. If you would like to receive this newsletter and other publications by email submit your Contact Info request to [email protected] or call us. V/TTY 218-773-6100 Toll-Free 800-726-3692 The production of this newsletter is funded Text-Line 701-864-0296 by the Minnesota Department of Health, Fax 218-773-7119 funding of which can not be construed as an Email [email protected] implied endorsement of content or factualness.
On the Web While the Information contained in this issue has been presented with all due care, www.MyOptions.info Options IRCIL and its funding partners do www.OptionsOutdoors.org not warrant or represent the Information as Facebook.com/optionsRCIL being free from errors or omissions.
Vision Statement This newsletter is for informational purposes only; it does not constitute legal advice or Options sees a world where people with medical advice, and should not be construed disabilities: enjoy the same human and civil as such. rights as citizens without disabilities; live, attend school, work and play in an Always seek advice from qualified medical integrated accessible community; are or legal professionals with questions which respected citizens and community leaders; you may have to insure it is applicable to and face no attitudinal, architectural or your situation. communication barriers. 8